Nuclear weapon

Autonomous AI threats leave US and China minutes to prevent nuclear crisis, experts warn

Proposals include redlining nuclear systems, requiring human control over consequential cyberattacks, and establishing a hotline for incidents involving autonomous AI.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping tour Zhongnanhai Garden on May 15, 2026 in Beijing, China.
This picture taken on March 4, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 5, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile test launch conducted on the destroyer Choe Hyon at an undisclosed location.

North Korea rejects denuclearization, vows 'ceaseless' nuclear buildup over US-led alliance

An illustration of an assassin holding a silenced handgun.

Iranian plot to assassinate Israeli nuclear scientist results in four convictions

Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, attends the commissioning ceremony of the destroyer "Kang Kon", at Wonsan Port, North Korea, September 6, 2026 in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency.

IAEA exposes North Korea's secret nuclear enrichment facility, expansion of weapon infrastructure


US assesses Mojtaba Khamenei more interested in nuclear weapons than predecessor - report

US intelligence agencies believe Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is more interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon than his father and predecessor was, according to a New York Times report.

A person holds a placard representing a US flag, with an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a billboard in the background, on the day of a ceremony marking 40 days since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2026.

Israeli officials warn US-Saudi deal could lead to nuclear weapons, discourage Israel normalization

Critics are concerned that the deal, through which US companies would help Saudi Arabia build civilian nuclear energy plants, could allow Saudi Arabia to eventually develop nuclear weapons.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman attend a bilateral meeting at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

Chinese-American seismologist detained in China after North Korea nuclear test study publication

The case of Youlin Chen, reported here for the first time, adds an irritant to the tense relationship between the nuclear-armed rivals as Trump seeks to keep the relationship steady.

Dr. Yufang Rong and her husband Dr. Youlin Chen, an American seismologist held for nearly two years by China, pose together in this undated photograph provided on July 13, 2026.

Renewed US blockade on Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz closer pushes region closer to open war

Initially, the US undertook limited targeted counterstrikes at Iranian assets around Hormuz to convince Iran to back down.

Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Navy Adm. Brad Cooper testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 14, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Hamas's Yahya Sinwar welcomed apocalyptic nuclear war if it meant destroying Israel - analysis

"[Israel] may even use a nuclear bomb. But first it will be surprised by the attack and descend into chaos," Yahya Sinwar wrote in a leaked letter.

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on a metal foundry in Gaza City, July 12, 2026.

Hamas documents reveal: Sinwar expected Israel to use nuclear weapons in response to October 7

Despite concern that Israel using nuclear weapons in response to an invasion was a real risk, Sinwar "did not abandon his messianic vision and emphasized that it would be a 'battle of life or death."

 Palestinians supporters of Hamas attend an anti-Israel rally in the presence of Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Gaza City, on May 25, 2021

Iran rehabilitating damaged nuclear sites, satellite imagery shows - report

While CNN reported that repair efforts were identified at sites in Iran's Parchin and Pickaxe Mountain, imagery of sites at Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz did not indicate any restoration efforts.

A satellite imagery taken on February 1, 2026, shows a new roof over a previously destroyed building at Isfahan nuclear site, Iran; Illustrative

US says China gave only hours' notice before submarine missile test

"The test occurred amid China’s rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup and is of great concern to the region," the official added.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy frigate Hengyang (568) is seen past a PLA Navy ensign as it sails through Victoria Harbour during its arrival in Hong Kong for a five-day visit on July 2, 2026.

Kim Jong Un inspects missile tests aboard North Korean destroyer Kang Kon

Test included checks of target-detection and information-processing capabilities, integrated firepower systems, naval guns, automatic cannons, and electronic warfare equipment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes an assessment of the newly built naval destroyer Kang Kon's combat systems, including the test firing of a strategic cruise missile, at an unknown location in North Korea, July 3, 2026.

Why on Earth would Trump endorse Iran's ballistic missile program? - comment

Trump’s comments backing Iran’s ballistic missile program have sparked concern, with critics warning they could undermine key security gains from recent regional conflict.

US President Donald Trump, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, holds a press conference during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026.